← New search

1997 Chrysler Cirrus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 69.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Cirrus years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 16 of 69 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports7 fire reports4 injury reports

Power Train complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
104,000 miles · Feb 28, 2007
Power TrainCrash

TL*- THE CONTACT PARKED HER 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS IN THE DRIVEWAY, REMOVED THE KEYES AND APPROXIMATELY 30-45 SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND CRASHED INTO THE NEIGHBORS CARPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE CONTACT STA…

Read full complaint

TL*- THE CONTACT PARKED HER 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS IN THE DRIVEWAY, REMOVED THE KEYES AND APPROXIMATELY 30-45 SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND CRASHED INTO THE NEIGHBORS CARPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY REPLACED THE SHIFTER PLUNGER. THE CONTACT IS STILL WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,4000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10183799

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2006
Power Train

TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE LEAK. POTENTIAL OF FIRE OR LOSS OF DRIVE ABILITY OF CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE (3) FAILURES OF THE SAME PART. 10/21/98 AND 4/29/04 AND AGAIN TODAY 7/11/06. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10162098

58,500 miles · Jun 2, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS FOR THE TRANS AXLE, THE CONSUMER STARTED TO EXPERIENCE OTHER PROBLEMS, SUCH AS DROPPING GEARS, AND CUTTING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RECTIFIED AS OF YET. *…

Read full complaint

UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS FOR THE TRANS AXLE, THE CONSUMER STARTED TO EXPERIENCE OTHER PROBLEMS, SUCH AS DROPPING GEARS, AND CUTTING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RECTIFIED AS OF YET. *AK *BF *NM AS OF APRIL 5, 2005, THE VEHICLE STILL EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL CAMPAIGN# 98V183000 & 04V021000. *AK *TT THE IDLE WAS RE-ADJUSTED. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10115456

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2005
Power Train

THE VEHICLE TENDS TO HESITATE AND MOVE WHEN IT IS PUT INTO DRIVE PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM TRAVELING WHILE ON THE ROAD. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY OWNER.

NHTSA ODI #10107451

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2004
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLOOR SHIFTER MOVES FROM PARK BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE DETENT BUTTON. *BF THE DEALER FAILED TO CORRECT THE RECALL PROBLEM. THE IGNITION WOULD BECOME TRAPPED ONCE IN WHILE. AFTER GENTLY WIGGLING IT, THE KEY WOULD SNAP OUT AND OPERATE PROPERLY, STAYING IN PARK AND ALLOWING THE KEY TO BE REMOV…

Read full complaint

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLOOR SHIFTER MOVES FROM PARK BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE DETENT BUTTON. *BF THE DEALER FAILED TO CORRECT THE RECALL PROBLEM. THE IGNITION WOULD BECOME TRAPPED ONCE IN WHILE. AFTER GENTLY WIGGLING IT, THE KEY WOULD SNAP OUT AND OPERATE PROPERLY, STAYING IN PARK AND ALLOWING THE KEY TO BE REMOVED. RECALL#98V183000 *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10106629

33,000 miles · Nov 15, 2004
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE CAME OUT OF GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10099940

42,920 miles · Sep 30, 2004
EquipmentPower Train

EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. *BF THE A/C EVAPORATED COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY THE CONSUMER AFTER 42920 MILES. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING OIL. THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO DRIVE AWAY AFTER BACKING AND THE VEHI…

Read full complaint

EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. *BF THE A/C EVAPORATED COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY THE CONSUMER AFTER 42920 MILES. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING OIL. THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO DRIVE AWAY AFTER BACKING AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GO IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR SERVICE AN WAS FOUND THAT THE PIN IN THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD COME LOOSE PUNCTURING THE TRANSMISSION CASE CAUSING RAPID FLUID LOSS. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10095308

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2000
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. DEALER FOUND A CRACKED TRANSFER CASE & REPLACED THE WHOLE THING. VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT OWNER STILL FEELS UNSAFE. CHRYSLER ALSO CONTACTED. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #862994

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE'S ARE SHAKING AND THERE IS SOME RATTLING NOISE. BRAKES GO HALF WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND CONSUMER HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION LINE BUSTED, CAUSING OIL TO GET ONTO ENGINE AND THE MANIFOLD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #851242

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Power Train

PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. *YC

NHTSA ODI #607456

Official recalls

4

04V021000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Jan 13, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

98V183000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Aug 6, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

97V201000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Nov 13, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

97V095000 · Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

Jun 6, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

EA03011 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock

Opened Jul 17, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

EA99028 · Steering Shaft Binding

Opened Sep 10, 1999 · Closed Jul 26, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE99030 · Steering Shaft Binding

Opened May 3, 1999 · Closed Sep 10, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

EA97016 · Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure

Opened Sep 29, 1997 · Closed Nov 20, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

BY LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 6, 1997, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THIS AGENCY OF ITS DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THIS EA.THE RECALL WILL ALSO COVER 1996 AND 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS/DODGE STRATUS VEHICLES, AS WELL AS 1995 THROUGH 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH IDENTICAL LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS.AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 599,00VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT PROCESS VARIABILITY, TOGETHER WITH THE BALL JOINT HOUSING COVER CRIMPING OPERATION, CAN RESULT IN AN INEFFECTIVE SEAL THAT PERMITS A LOSS OF LUBRICATION AND ACCELERTED WEAR OF THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY.THIS CONDITION CAN LEAD TO FAILURE AND SEPARTION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED AS NHTSA 97V-201 AND A COPY OF CHRYSLER'S LETTER TO NHTSA IS ATTACHED HERETO.